!Hazard!

Thats why we need football director who'll take at least some responsibility in identifying and buying new players

I think Jorginho is a dream player for almost any manager. People seriously underestimate him and think he is some one trick pony who can only play well under Sarri's specific tactics. Pep adores him, Mourinho recently called him the best midfielder in the world etc. I don't think there's a manager in the world who would look at our current squad and even think about putting Jorginho on the bench. Most likely, however, many managers would play him in a pivot next to Kante rather than as lone DM as Sarri is doing. I expect Lampard to set up this team in 4-2-3-1 as well.

Kovacic was somewhat disappointing this season for sure but choosing Bakayoko over him for next season sounds disastrous. I hope the board are not THAT stupid

FFS

She's brilliant at selling but poor at buying new players. That's why we need football director to give us sense of direction in the transfer market and identify the right players and get the deals done for those players

Hope he takes the summer to build up some muscle. I can't see him ever becoming a dominant defender in this league with his current frame Matthijs de Ligt who is same height as Christensen is like 8kg heavier

Well he does have very special ability, we have evidence of that. Just needs to deliver week in week out and not every 3 months. Under right manager, tactics and circumstances he could become a very very good player

I can't see them giving the job to anyone else than Lampard. Board wants to see a team built around the youth players and Lampard is seen as the ideal man to carry out that project. Also he will probably be given a level of job security that has been unheard of in the Roman era.

I dont think we need a creative central midfielder but instead what we need is a creative attacking midfielder who can play as no.10 and on the wings and thus bring more creativity to the final third (which isn't really Jorginho's job at all). Like a faster and more aggressive version of Juan Mata. Hakim Ziyech would be perfect

Goodbye. It has been a great pleasure watching you play in blue. Fuck me, I guess I need to change my nickname now

Such an underrated player too. There's a reason every manager on Earth loves him. Good to see Roman too!!

Don't know what happens to Sarri (hope he stays) but I really hope we don't lose Jorginho

Kovacic has been abysmal

Wait I just heard that Cesc gets a medal if we win tonight because he played in the group phase games? And he's there he is working as a pundit for BT Sport commenting on the game

KANTEE Btw anyone got a good stream?

Without Kante in midfield we will be even more exposed defensively. Pretty sure Sarri will go with false 9 in this game to make us more compact

Maybe they are willing to make an exception when they are getting certain Eden Hazard coming their way.

Not sure why people keep comparing Kovacic to Mount. Next season Kovacic is most likely backup for Kante and Jorginho. Mount is backup for RLC as I can't see Sarri playing Mount in the other two positions.

Attacking possession-based 4-2-3-1 (like this season's Ajax) only works when you've got good fullbacks overlapping and creating overloads in attacking third. With 4-3-3 you always have two wingers, striker and two midfielders attacking the box (in addition to overlapping fullbacks) where as in 4-2-3-1 you have one player less attacking the box and it also places more attacking responsibility to the central attacking midfielder so that player needs to be on top of his game or else the system falls apart. In Chelsea's case 4-2-3-1 would probably be the preferred tactic considering Kante is not exactly the most attacking-minded player in the first place but this tactic cannot be utilized as long as we don't have a right back who can provide width and proper attacking threat. On the left-hand side Alonso is seemingly very attacking when looking at this positioning but generally he's also very ineffective around the box. Give us Chilwell and Reece James (if he really is good enough offensively) and we'll look like a team reborn

Hahah that was my reaction as well to the email. Are they taking the piss

I guess they have some sort of contractual obligation for the organiser to play the stars for at least 45 minutes? I would expect the youth to play the second half tho

This although that release clause talk is nonsense and his price this summer will be around 40-50m. He offers more than Coutinho and because of his world class pressing ability will fit into Sarri's tactics like a glove. He's so hardworking he could play the Kante role against lesser teams but is best used either as a 10 or as RW wide playmaker who cuts inside to his favoured left foot. He has great passing ability and vision the likes of Willian can only dream of and we really need that creativity too after Hazard leaves so Ziyech would really be a nobrainer For the past few months Ajax fans have been solely singing Ziyech's name in an effort to make him stay. The fact that he stands out like that from a squad full of outstanding talents speaks volumes.

This. I like Luiz a lot and I see how important he is to Sarri's strategy. That being said, he shouldn't be a guaranteed starter every single game throughout the season. Christensen needs to step up his game cause this season he has been miles off Luiz's level. Maybe Zouma will come back and offer some competition but he's of course completely different type of player than Luiz and frankly I'm a little worried about his ability on the ball. Even if we can get transfer ban postponed, any CB that is even near Luiz's quality on the ball will cost 50-100 million euros and so I'm not sure if the club wants to go that route.

He has taken a huge leap forward in his defensive game. I'm expecting GREAT things from RLC - Jorginho - Kante midfield next season. Can't wait. Just really wish we could sign some fullbacks and a striker who can score goals

Wait what. Is this a joke? Friendly game before Europa final?